Automatic spray-painting machine

ABSTRACT

A conveyor extends into a spray station from an exterior loading station. At least one fixture for supporting a mask and work pieces is engageable with the conveyor for movement into the spray station. The conveyor preferably continues the movement on through the spray station, and out the opposite side, so that the enclosure forming the spray station can be shorter than the length of the fixture assembly in the direction of movement of the conveyor. Space under one side of the conveyor is utilized for mask-washing equipment. Lateral transfer means, together with an elevator system, moves the work support and mask from the conveyor to and through the washing station. A program controller determines the painting cycle according to easily preset adjustments, and spray gun assemblies can be lifted out and installed as a unit for each job set-up. A down-draft ventilation system in the work station accommodates the wide range of painting conditions the machine is capable of handling.

1451 May 20, 1975 Primary ExaminerJohn P. McIntosh Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Glenn B. Morse [57] ABSTRACT A conveyor extends into a spray station from an exterior loading station. At least one fixture for supporting a mask and work pieces is engageable with the conveyor for movement into the spray station. The conveyor preferably continues the movement on through the spray station, and out the opposite side, so that the enclosure forming the spray station can be shorter than the length of the fixture assembly in the direction of movement of the conveyor. Space under one side of the conveyor is utilized for mask-washing equipment. Lateral transfer means, together with an elevator system, moves the work support and mask from the conveyor to and through the washing station. A program controller determines the painting cycle according to easily preset adjustments, and spray gun assemblies can be lifted out and installed as a unit for each job set-up. A down-draft ventilation system in the work 118/326; 134/68 B050 5/00; B050 11/16 70, DIG. 7, 134; 198/81, 83

AUTOMATIC SPRAY-PAINTING MACHINE Inventor: Harry Szczepanski, 960 Clancy,

N.E., Grand Rapids, Mich. 49503 Filed: Feb. 7, 1973 App]. No.: 330,198

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 79012, Oct. 8, 1970, Pat. 3,716,022.

US. Cl. 118/70; 118/324 Int. Cl. Field of Search.... 118/7, 324, 326 118/2; 134/58 R, 58 D, 68,133,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS United States Patent Szczepanski 1 18/326 X 198/81 station accommodates the wide range of painting con- 134/58 D ditions the machine is capable of handling.

113/70 3 Claims, 62 Drawing Figures 118/7 X Jones et al. Fox et am 1 fl a t m d 2 hwmw 3 LWG 790280 236667 999999 l l 1 1 ll 588093 1 6 7-007 99 865 0 3462 mgmggmzoin SHEET [10F 23 PATENTEB HAY 2 0 I975 SHEET OEOF 23 SHEEI' DEOF 23 PATENTED mzouns SHEET 0m 23 m884,l79

PATENIEU M20195 PATENTEDHAYZOIQYS SHEET 05 6F 23 .884179 omm SHEET 05 0F 23 PATENTEI] HAY 2 01975 SHEET G7UF 23 PATENTED HAY20|975 PATENTS] W20 1975 3,884,179 SHEET CBUF 23 P rEmgnuAYzoms SHEET Fig i N Fig. i6

PATENTELJWWS 884,179 SHEET 100F23 PATENTEB MAY 2 01975 SHEET PATENTEDMAYZOISYS 388%179 SHEET 150F23 PATENTED HAY20|975 SHEET 15m 23 $84,179

PATENIED HAY 2 01915 SHEET PATENTEB MAY 20 I975 SHEET lBEF 23 

1. A spray-painting machine including a housing structure, ventilation means adapted to induce a flow of air through said housing, and spray means mounted to project spray within said housing, said housing having at least one side opening into the space normally containing spray from said spray means, wherein the improvement comprises: conveyor means traversing said side opening, and extending to a position laterally displaced from said side opening; work-supporting means engageable and disengageable from said conveyor means; transfer means, said transfer means being operative to transfer said work-supporting means selectively in opposite directions to and from said conveyor means in a direction transverse thereto; and solvent washing means disposed below said conveyor means, and also including elevator means operative to raise and lower said work-supporting means from said transfer means, said transfer means additionally including a lower portion adapted to move said work-supporting means to and from said solvent washing means.
 2. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said transfer means is operative to transfer said work-supporting means through said solvent washing means to a position on the opposite side of said conveyor, and said elevator means has a portion on each side of said conveyor operative to raise and lower said work-supporting means between the vertically spaced portions of said transfer means.
 3. A machine as defined in claim 2, wherein said elevator means includes a frame having a vertical guideway, said frame being pivotally mounted to provide swing-out freedom for clearing work-supporting means carried by said elevator means from adjacent structure of said machine. 